When Do You Give Your Kids Pain Meds for a Fever?

Updated on February 01, 2011
A.S. asks from Eugene, OR
18 answers

I know the general rule of thumb is to give your kids tylenol when they are uncomfortable due to a fever or if the fever is too high. I gave my dd who is 3 Motrin last night she had 102 fever. It broke the fever and then she was bouncing off the walls. She running a 101 fever today. I haven't given anything, the fever makes her sleepy and I feel that she needs her rest. Do you give your kids meds to break a fever or let is run its corse?

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P.G.

answers from Dallas on

Fever is the body's way of fighting infection, so if the fever isn't too high and the child's not to uncomfortable, I don't do medicine. Higher and discomfort, then medicine.

3 moms found this helpful

K.A.

answers from San Diego on

I only give medication if something interferes with sleep or they are genuinely miserable. I try other things to make them comfortable if it's not a major bother. Dress them in lighter PJs (I don't bother with proper clothes when they are sick) , let them play in the bathtub, cool fluids etc.
If she's sleeping and not miserable let the fever be. The fever is what's killing off the illness.

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R.D.

answers from Kansas City on

When I see my son is really hurting, I will give Tylenol/Motrin. Other than that, I wait until it is 102 before I give meds. The fever HELPS get rid of the bug. The body is 'burning out the intruders' so I let it run its course.

4 moms found this helpful
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B.C.

answers from Phoenix on

If they are handling it during the day OK, then I stay away from medicine. It keeps them on the couch resting, but like you said, once you give it to them and the fever breaks, they think they're home free and no longer resting. I do however give it to them at night, so they can get a good night sleep.

3 moms found this helpful

C.B.

answers from Kansas City on

the fever is the body's way of killing off the infection. if you can get by without it, skip it. let her body do it's job. the more you give her meds, and the more often, the sooner she'll develop a resistance, and also, she may just come to expect it and demand it at the slightest discomfort.

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M.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

If they are uncomfortable at all I give them Advil no matter how high the fever is.

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A.C.

answers from Houston on

102...because that is when my daughter usually starts puking or at night when the fever (or pain) might prevent her from sleeping well.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.W.

answers from St. Cloud on

We tend to wait it out......... This is the bodies way of killing whatever they are fighting.

Our first line of defense is a luke-warm bath. Lots of fluids. And they camp out on the couch with a movie, books, and toys.

We tend to only give Tylenol if their fever is around 104. (Our daughter is almost 6 and I can probably count on ONE hand how many times she has had medicine........)

The bath usually works right away! And it makes them feel better for awhile too!

1 mom found this helpful

P.M.

answers from Tampa on

I wait until 102 usually - then give children's/infants motrin. If I notice it repeatedly going back up - I start medication at 100.

1 mom found this helpful

C.C.

answers from Sacramento on

Our pedi said that you should only give meds if the fever is making the child miserable. His logic is that the fever exists to fight off a virus or bacteria, and that lowering it before the body is ready may cause the virus/bacteria to gain more of a stronghold in the body, and therefore take longer to fight off. So, if the fever isn't making the child miserable, let it ride.

That said, in my experience a fever is usually pretty miserable, so we do end up giving the Tylenol/Motrin routine most times.

1 mom found this helpful
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B.D.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Our pediatrician said anything 100.7 or higher needs to be treated.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.L.

answers from Topeka on

It depends if there are any other symptoms going on(head ache,body aches,ear ache,sore throat) typically I like the fever to run it's course means the body is working to fight off the infection if it lasts another day with complaints of sore throat or ear ache i'll take them in good indicator it is more than a virus,my son is 7 & is still down since last Thursday with a fever we seen the pediatricain already Sunday it is viral & needs to run it's course stay home again today from school maybe back Tuesday.This has really put him down the doc mentioned it is a long lasting virus.
Have you ever noticed the time of day when a child is magically well it is after breakfast after the bus has already left,during the day then BOOM night hits & it's i'm tired I don't feel well my head hurts & the fever is back on full force.I just have to laugh my kids do this to me & it is real I asked the Pediatrician about it & she laughed she said I know.Then seeing the Dr.for this mysterious illness & they aren't looking sick stopped coughing,the nose isn't running,& you just want to apologize for wasting their time but look it did end up in an ear infection after all...

1 mom found this helpful

J.P.

answers from Stockton on

If they have a high fever I give the meds. It is not good for them to have a high fever - which I consider to be over 100. If it is a low grade fever 99 and below, I only give it to them if they are noticably uncomfortable.....Have you called the dr.?

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A.H.

answers from San Francisco on

101 and up as per our pediatrician.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.N.

answers from New York on

depends on how they're feeling. if the fever is 102 but they're happy and not bothered by it then no meds. if 101 and miserable then i give motrin. i don't even bother with tylenol. it just does not do anything for my kids.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

I let my kids fever run its course.
I monitor them ALL night, taking their temp's every hour.
IF it gets too high, I will give Tylenol.
But generally I let the fever break.
I watch them closely.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.B.

answers from Chicago on

I give my children medicine for their fevers. I gve them the recommended dose for their age or weight and I try tylenol first, if that doesn't work, then I give them Mortin four hours later. Mortin works best for higher fevers (100+) and tylenol for lower (<100). If that doesn't help, then I take them to see their ped. Fevers can be tricky and you really want to be careful. If the fever lasts more than two days, definately see the docotor.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.K.

answers from Mansfield on

NEVER never never. fever is a good thing- it is the bodies way of fighting whatever is wrong. Fevers ARE NOT BAD. I know they can be very uncomfortable and you do not want your child suffering but lowering a fever doesn't let the body fight the infection going on in there. Fever is part of the healing process and yes it makes them sleepy because that also allows the body to heal.
I didn't even read another response just gave my answer so sorry if I am repeating anyone.

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